Tag: remote learning

Thank you so much to California Hands & Voices and their partners for creating this amazing infographic! You can access the infographic, the resources on the infographic, and additional resources on the California Hands & Voices website.

Teaching Remotely to Students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing

As schools are implementing remote strategies to provide educational services, it is imperative that accessibility for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) is addressed as lessons are being planned. Whether instruction is being provided off-line with packets of assignments or online in a virtual environment, lack of accessibility will mean DHH students will not have equal access to instruction, as is required in IDEA. Here are a few tips to keep in mind, as well as specific resources for helping to implement.

Captioning

All videos, real time learning sessions, and pre-recorded learning sessions need to be captioned. To learn more about pre-captioned resources as well as tools and instructions for captioning, visit our collection of captioning information. *While sessions and videos must be captioned, it is important to know that this alone may not provide accessibility for all students who are deaf/hard of hearing, especially those whose reading level is below 5th grade.

Interpreting

Students who have interpreting as an accommodations in their IEP have access to interpreters in their school districts. Those interpreters need to provide interpreting for real-time instruction, pre-recorded instruction, and may also provide sight translation assistance for packets of assignments. For how-to resources on creating accessible videos, visit our collection of instructions in written and video formats.

In a situation where the interpreters are not able to interpret during real-time instruction, the student can use a Video Relay Service (VRS). HOWEVER, the student must use VRS equipment or software to see the interpreter, as the interpreter is not visible through Zoom. Instructions on using VRS to access a video conference have been provided in ASL.

Considerations for Video Conferencing

When connecting with students through video conferencing, keep in mind the quality of sound, background noise, lighting, visual distraction, and the placement of the camera, as well as captioning and/or interpreting. To learn more about information about ensuring remote learning is accessible, visit our collection of remote learning accessibility information.

Ideas for connecting with other Educators serving DHH Students

Collaborate with deaf ed teachers in your school, district, state through email, social media groups, or communities of practice. If you are a teacher in a general education classroom, it is imperative that you connect with the deaf ed teacher who is serving your student(s)!

Share resources you find on social media and tag them (e.g., #dcdcec.org #deafed).

Information compiled by the Division for Communication, Language, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing in collaboration with the Texas Sensory Support Network, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services. For additional information about providing virtual services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing, visit our Virtual Learning Livebinder.

Remote Learning: Using Paraprofessionals Effectively

Life for educators is definitely a different experience right now! As teachers of students who are deaf or hard of hearing (TODHH), we are not only working on our own lessons, we are working with general education teachers to ensure that their instructional materials are accessible.

Many of us have access to paraprofessionals in our classrooms or interveners assigned to particular students, and districts are struggling to determine how those staff members can best help meet the needs of students in our current reality. Below are some activities that the paraprofessionals could do that often will make a HUGE difference to the teachers and the families.

All activities should be initiated and guided by the TODHH, especially contact with students and families.

Information compiled by the Division for Communication, Language, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing in collaboration with the Texas Sensory Support Network, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services. For additional information about providing virtual services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing, visit our Virtual Learning Livebinder.